Garmin Forerunner 310XT Waterproof Running GPS With USB ANT Stick and Heart Rate Monitor
by Garmin
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List Price: Our Price: $349.99 You Save: $50.00 (13%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $255.00 (click here) Category: GPS or Navigation System See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin Forerunner 310XT Waterproof Running GPS With USB ANT Stick and Heart Rate Monitor
Customer Review: Best Triathlete GPS available
Summary: 3 Stars
... of course it is also the only one that many people can use throughout a full triathlon. Overall, I think this is an excellent product, but I agree with some of the others here that Garmin hides the ball somewhat in its marketing/advertising.
First, this is the only waterproof GPS watch that I've seen and it also has the battery power to get you through a full Ironman. As such, I can put it on my wrist and not worry about it until the end of a race (with the exception of hitting the lap button to change events/transitions). The multi-sport function that lets you set up the watch for triathlons, duathlons, brick workouts, etc. with or without transitions is fantastic. For me, this makes it great and the best solution available.
I do find the distance calculations for swimming absolutely ridiculous. As far as I can tell, swinging your arms for every stroke is what throws the watch off so much... interesting that it seems to be a problem based on it being too accurate. I've done a 3000 yd pool swim to find a claimed distance of over 3.2 miles. I do think Garmin should include a "Swim" function that just turns off the gps if they can't figure out a way to combat this problem... generally you know your distance in a pool or in a race, so the biggest interest (at least for me) is the timing of the swim.
Someone here said that biking with it on his/her wrist doesn't work, and I have never run into an issue with that at all. I find it works perfectly during biking, running, hiking, etc.
I will say that the price here seems too high. I've seen it for less.
Overall a very good product that people just need to understand has some limitations.
Customer Review: Outstanding product
Summary: 5 Stars
I just got mine and I love it. It came with software version 2.5, but I upgraded it to 2.6 after much hassle. For some reason with version 2.5, it wouldnt send anything to the unit, only download from it. It boiled down to 4 hours of searching and finally figuring out the problem was due to Internet Explorer's security settings. It seems to be working fine with v 2.6. (If you're having this problem, turn off ALL your IE security settings and try to download the software again)
My only gripes are that it's a bit difficult to save a location. I wish there was a way that you could just hit or hold a button or two and instantly mark a spot. As it is now, I have to stop and scroll through menus to save a waypoint. My second complaint is that there's no way to import waypoints via a computer. To save waypoints such as feedstations that are already on my mapmyride courses, I have to do it by hand on the 310XT unit. My third gripe is the ANT Stick. It would be way easier to upload directly from USB, but I guess they couldnt find a way to make it waterproof with a USB port. I'll live with it, but I dont want to have to shell out [...] for a new stick if I end up losing it.
As for people who complain about GPS not working while swimming - It's not a function of the Garmin unit, it's a function of the GPS wavelength which cant really penetrate water. I know this from years of being on a submarine that you cant use GPS when you're submerged. Unless you stick an antenna on your head while you swim, it's just not going to work. Sorry, that's life. The product manual specifically states that GPS and heartrate data is not available while swimming.
Customer Review: Don't ever drop it...
Summary: 2 Stars
As a rugged sports/gps watch, Garmin missed the mark. The screen is made of glass! If you drop it, the screen will crack. The first time this happened (during my first week with the watch), the watch fell out of my hand on to the pavement and the glass shattered. There was no force behind the fall other than me losing my grip on stuff I was carrying. Drop height was maybe 2.5 feet. Garmin repaired the watch after charging me almost $100 plus a $50 expedite fee because I wanted it for a key event.
After months of carefully guarding my Garmin, the watch fell out of my workout bag on to the bathroom tile floor. Screen shattered again so I have to shell out another $100 plus shipping if I want to continue using this expensive piece of equipment.
Garmin needs to change the material used for the face of the 310 XT to a material that will not crack when the device is dropped from a few feet. It is a good looking device that functions well but it is too fragile for all but the most careful and vigilant of users. I would rather have a scratched plastic screen that will take a normal wear-and-tear fall than worry about cracked glass and expensive replacement.
Of the three other 310 XT owners in my running/triathlon group, all three had cracked screens and expensive repairs within the first month of ownership. If you are considering the purchase of this watch be forewarned, it is not a question of if you will experience a cracked screen, it is a matter of when.
Hope this helps.
Customer Review: Great GPS watch and HR monitor
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased the Garmin 310xt after the Garmin Forerunner 305 I had died after about about 4 years. Apparently the 305 is water resistent and not waterproof. It died when I swam with it. The Garmin 310XT is a much better product. I love the USB antenna stick. I automatically downloads workouts into Garmin online and/or the Garmin Training center. The HR Monitor device is much better too. You can remove it from the strap so the strap can be cleaned. Much nicer. I can't think of anything bad to say about this product.
Now the bad. When I purchased this, I thought I would save a few dollars and get the super saver shipping option. They advertise 5-9 days shipping. But those days don't start until the first business day after you order. I ordered it Friday which meant it was Monday before Amazon even started working on it. On Saturday, I noticed that the shipping would take 2 weeks so I tried to changed it. Unfortunately, they had already locked the transaction so I couldn't change it. I call Amazon to ask if I could change it and nothing could be done ( Amazon customer service was not a lot of help). I eventually received the Garmin Forerunner 310XT but it took a while. So the moral of the story is, DON'T use the super saver shipping if you'd like to get the product in a reasonable time period. IMO, the supersaver shipping is useless.
Customer Review: Phenomenal Product, Exceptional Company
Summary: 5 Stars
Garmin Forerunner 310XT GPS Enabled Sports Watch
This product is hands down, the most phenomenal piece of sports equipment I own. The details are incredible and the ability to monitor your current speed/average speed and all other components is incredibly valuable. With the information, you're able to make adjustments to your form and technique that lead to real performance improvements.
I initially had concerns about the tracking in the water, but a $5 retractable cord from a dive shop fixed that right up. Now I get accurate speed and tracking right across the water. Overlaying the Google map shows me exactly where I encountered sand bars and currents.....that's great stuff.
Forget about pesky complaints I've read elsewhere...their just minor stuff that you work through.
I'm a tough customer, but Garmin has gone way above what even I would expect to keep me happy. I'm totally sold as a customer for life!
I want to recognize Garmin's efforts by encouraging everyone to stop considering any other similar (but far inferior products) and go straight with the best. I'm happy to answer any specific questions or provide any additional information anyone desires, you may email me directly at weidnerlaw@yahoo.com